The Deans's Corner - March Issue
Hello Faculty!
Mid-terms are fast approaching and I trust that your classes are going well. Thanks to those of you who took advantage of the extra assistance provided by Instructional Technologist Michelle Ferguson and the rest of the technology team in uploading missed class content due to the weather on Blackboard. Thanks also to the Department chairs who permitted the STEM CTL Technology Team to attend your departmental meetings and provide a brief update on the type of assistance they are able to provide.
The WAC Brown Bag Workshop continues to meet monthly, and was held on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at 2 pm in the STEM CTL. The next CATs Brown Bag Workshop will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 2:30 pm in the STEM CTL. We will summarize the CATs presented in chapters 7, 8 and 9. I will also give you details of the “Flip and Slip” workshop that I attended at the Research Summit in Kennesaw, GA.
The Learning Community Project which I proposed will be piloted this summer and fully implemented in Fall 2014. Thanks to the many suggestions we had about this project in our last STEM CTL committee meeting, particularly from Faculty Council President Prof. Joseph Craan who recommended that we might consider research credit for the project through a 299 Independent Study. In order to solicit other strategies for learning communities, the STEM CTL submitted an application to the prestigious Washington Center for the National Summer Institute on Learning Communities. Our application was accepted and a team of five will be attending the Institute from July14 -18, 2014 in Evergreen, WA. We will provide an update for you at a later time.
Inside this issue you will get an update on other activities sponsored by the STEM CTL. We appreciate your continued support.
Mid-terms are fast approaching and I trust that your classes are going well. Thanks to those of you who took advantage of the extra assistance provided by Instructional Technologist Michelle Ferguson and the rest of the technology team in uploading missed class content due to the weather on Blackboard. Thanks also to the Department chairs who permitted the STEM CTL Technology Team to attend your departmental meetings and provide a brief update on the type of assistance they are able to provide.
The WAC Brown Bag Workshop continues to meet monthly, and was held on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at 2 pm in the STEM CTL. The next CATs Brown Bag Workshop will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 2:30 pm in the STEM CTL. We will summarize the CATs presented in chapters 7, 8 and 9. I will also give you details of the “Flip and Slip” workshop that I attended at the Research Summit in Kennesaw, GA.
The Learning Community Project which I proposed will be piloted this summer and fully implemented in Fall 2014. Thanks to the many suggestions we had about this project in our last STEM CTL committee meeting, particularly from Faculty Council President Prof. Joseph Craan who recommended that we might consider research credit for the project through a 299 Independent Study. In order to solicit other strategies for learning communities, the STEM CTL submitted an application to the prestigious Washington Center for the National Summer Institute on Learning Communities. Our application was accepted and a team of five will be attending the Institute from July14 -18, 2014 in Evergreen, WA. We will provide an update for you at a later time.
Inside this issue you will get an update on other activities sponsored by the STEM CTL. We appreciate your continued support.
Extended Hours for the STEM Center for Teaching & Learning
Effectively immediately, the STEM Center for Teaching and Learning has extended hours of operation, including
Saturdays. The new hours are:
Monday 9am—5pm
Tuesday 9am—5pm
Wednesday 9am—8pm
Thursday: 9am—8pm
Friday 9am—4pm
Saturdays: 9am—3pm
We are looking to increase our number of faculty-led professional development opportunities here at Olive-Harvey College. So if you have a best practice you want to share or a professional development/training/workshop for your department members you want to facilitate, “We Want You”!
Please click on the link below to sign up or stop by the STEM CTL (Rm. 3307) for more information. We look forward to supporting your needs!
Olive-Harvey STEM CTL Professional Development Training Proposal
Saturdays. The new hours are:
Monday 9am—5pm
Tuesday 9am—5pm
Wednesday 9am—8pm
Thursday: 9am—8pm
Friday 9am—4pm
Saturdays: 9am—3pm
We are looking to increase our number of faculty-led professional development opportunities here at Olive-Harvey College. So if you have a best practice you want to share or a professional development/training/workshop for your department members you want to facilitate, “We Want You”!
Please click on the link below to sign up or stop by the STEM CTL (Rm. 3307) for more information. We look forward to supporting your needs!
Olive-Harvey STEM CTL Professional Development Training Proposal
Faculty Highlights
Professor Debra Johnson, Corliss After School Tutoring Program
Professor Debra Johnson began tutoring in the George H. Corliss After School Tutoring Program at the beginning of the 2012-13 school year, and has continued during this 2013-14 school year.
She reports that things are progressing in the program especially since they are now integrating technology into the sessions and using laptop computers. One of the benefits she indicates is that it has helped to increase the level of active learning which tutoring.
She reports that things are progressing in the program especially since they are now integrating technology into the sessions and using laptop computers. One of the benefits she indicates is that it has helped to increase the level of active learning which tutoring.
Recording Lessons and Lectures
Professor S. Roebuck is continuing his series of Math lecture recordings for his students this semester. Through the use of Blackboard Collaborate, a SMART board, and a simple lapel microphone, Professor Roebuck is providing succinct supplemental recordings to assist his students with difficult concepts. The purpose of posting these recordings is to allow students to review the problems and steps as many times as needed, giving the students the control to learn at their own pace. See the Tech Tip of the month to find out how you can do it too!
Sample Recording:
Sample Recording:
TED Talk Monthly: Turning Dunes into Architecture
Facilitated by Professor M. C. Carr
Facilitated by Professor M. C. Carr
On February 26, 2014, Professor Carr hosted the second event in the TED Talk Monthly Series Discussion. This month's featured TED Talk selection: Turning Dunes into Architecture. "Architecture student Magnus Larsson details his bold plan to transform the harsh Sahara desert using bacteria and a surprising construction material: the sand itself.Magnus Larsson hopes to build new structures in the desert -- by using bacteria to turn shifting sand into a solid mass" The discussion was attended by 47 faculty, staff, and students. Original TED Talk Video: | |
Spring 2014 Learning Community Mid-Semester Student Surveys & Faculty Collaborations
A pre-survey was administered in January, 2014 to students participating in Learning Communities during the Spring 2014 semester to assess student awareness of Learning Communities and their expectations. During the week of March 10th, mid-semester surveys will be administered to the same group of students to assess their current satisfaction, concerns or discontents.
Also, as a reminder, the STEM CTL (Room 3307) has been reserved on a monthly basis (every 3rd Wednesday) throughout the entire semester beginning Wednesday January 15 through Wednesday, April 16, 2014 from 2 pm - 5 pm, and on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 from 2 pm to 5 pm. We strongly encourage each faculty member to utilize the scheduled collaboration time for curriculum alignment, and to plan the integration of lessons and activities. Also, a Learning Community professional development workshop was hosted on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 and Thursday, February 13, 2014.
A Learning Community online post-survey will be administered at the end of the semester. The surveys will serve as an additional tool to guide us in our continuous improvement efforts and are also reflective of the best practices implemented in Learning Communities at other colleges and universities.
Also, as a reminder, the STEM CTL (Room 3307) has been reserved on a monthly basis (every 3rd Wednesday) throughout the entire semester beginning Wednesday January 15 through Wednesday, April 16, 2014 from 2 pm - 5 pm, and on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 from 2 pm to 5 pm. We strongly encourage each faculty member to utilize the scheduled collaboration time for curriculum alignment, and to plan the integration of lessons and activities. Also, a Learning Community professional development workshop was hosted on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 and Thursday, February 13, 2014.
A Learning Community online post-survey will be administered at the end of the semester. The surveys will serve as an additional tool to guide us in our continuous improvement efforts and are also reflective of the best practices implemented in Learning Communities at other colleges and universities.
Faculty & Students Attend STEM Symposium & Research Conference
On February 14-15, 2014, Professors Shadi Assaf (Chemistry), and Cornelia Forrester (Chemistry), along with 20 students, attended the STEM Symposium & Research Conference held in Tinley Park, Illinois. The Symposium was sponsored by the Illinois Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (ILS-AMP) and the Center for STEM Education and Research (CSER). Both address the need to increase underrepresented minorities in STEM.
The Annual Symposium brings together researchers from more than 14 institutions in the state of Illinois, and provides a forum for students to share their experiences in undergraduate research. Research experiences broaden the training for students and prepares them for transfer and graduate institutions.
Shown in the picture from back row, left to right: Professor Shadi Assaf, Brandon Mobley, Kevin Richards, Katrina Randle, Rachelle Capitaine, Dominique Newell, Breanna Wright, Joshua Albury, Professor Cornelia Forrester, Jason Parks, an OHC Alumni; front row: Isiaka (OHC Alumni), Mayowa Balogun, Ishmael Ochir, Oluwademilola Bankole, Janea Eaton; not pictured: Samuel Amadi, Samuel Fiatuga, Curry Williams, Cyntkaille Coleman, Denise Brown, and Olawale Olugible.
The Annual Symposium brings together researchers from more than 14 institutions in the state of Illinois, and provides a forum for students to share their experiences in undergraduate research. Research experiences broaden the training for students and prepares them for transfer and graduate institutions.
Shown in the picture from back row, left to right: Professor Shadi Assaf, Brandon Mobley, Kevin Richards, Katrina Randle, Rachelle Capitaine, Dominique Newell, Breanna Wright, Joshua Albury, Professor Cornelia Forrester, Jason Parks, an OHC Alumni; front row: Isiaka (OHC Alumni), Mayowa Balogun, Ishmael Ochir, Oluwademilola Bankole, Janea Eaton; not pictured: Samuel Amadi, Samuel Fiatuga, Curry Williams, Cyntkaille Coleman, Denise Brown, and Olawale Olugible.
Supplemental Instruction
"SI" In Action
Midterm SI Study Jam
The week of March 10-15th, SI Leaders are sponsoring a Study Jam in which they are opening up their weekly SI sessions to all sections of the course they lead. This is an opportunity to promote SI in other courses and with other instructors, to better prepare students for midterms, and to help students gain important study skills.
Please encourage your students to attend for any of the following courses:
Please encourage your students to attend for any of the following courses:
- Biology 114
- Biology 121
- Biology 226
- Biology 227
- Chemistry 121
- Chemistry 201
- Chemistry 207
- Math 207
Technology Tip of the Month
March Trainings, Workshops, and Professional Development
STEM CTL Trainings and WorkshopsFor a complete list of upcoming STEM CTL Trainings and Workshops, click here!
BROWN BAG EVENTS
Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Monthly Meeting - Dr. K. Watson
Classroom Assessment Techniques - Dr. V. Fullard
TED Talks Discussion (Monthly Discourse) - Prof. M. Carr
PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS
Workshop: Engaging and Educational Apps for Instructors and Students - Prof. S. Assaf & E. Tobin
Presentation: The Syllabus as Classroom Management - Prof. J. Johnson
BROWN BAG EVENTS
Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Monthly Meeting - Dr. K. Watson
Classroom Assessment Techniques - Dr. V. Fullard
TED Talks Discussion (Monthly Discourse) - Prof. M. Carr
- Wednesday March 26 @ 3:15-4:15pm, Bruce Cherry Theater
- Wednesday April 23 @ 2:30-3:30pm, Bruce Cherry Theater
PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS
Workshop: Engaging and Educational Apps for Instructors and Students - Prof. S. Assaf & E. Tobin
Presentation: The Syllabus as Classroom Management - Prof. J. Johnson